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I just got home and got the chance to peruse the indictment. I found the following portions very interesting. The following factual allegations set forth as background were far more detailed than were necessary to support the counts of the indictment. They were included for a reason. Fitzgerald does not strike me as a frivolous or flippant man. I don’t want to speculate on where he is going with his investigation but it appears to me he is attempting to get several points across that have nothing to do with the actual charges levied against Libby. To support the five counts of the indictment he only had to recite the statements made, the circumstances they were made under and the reasons they are alleged to be false or misleading. The statements regarding Joseph Wilson pointedly establish the the CIA sent him to Niger at the request of the V.P., the statements about Valerie Plame pointedly state that her covert status was intact until July 14, 2003. Libby's status regarding access to and promises not to disclose national security information have nothing to do with the alleged crimes contained in the indictment. I believe that there is more to come. I think that this indictment is purposely crafted to send a message. I hope and believe that there is more to come and other members of this administration will be going down hard.
Defendant’s Employment and Responsibilities
a. Beginning on or about January 20, 2001, and continuing through the date of this indictment, defendant I. LEWIS LIBBY, also known as “SCOOTER LIBBY,” was employed as Assistant to the President of the United States, Chief of Staff to the Vice President of the United States, and Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs. In the course of his work, LIBBY had frequent access to classified information and frequently spoke with officials of the U.S. intelligence community, as well as other government officials, regarding sensitive national security matters.
b. In connection with his role as a senior government official with responsibilities for national security matters, LIBBY held security clearances entitling him to access to classified information. As a person with such clearances, LIBBY was obligated by applicable laws and regulations, including Title 18, United States Code, Section 793, and Executive Order 12958 (as modified by Executive Order 13292), not to disclose classified information to persons not authorized to receive such information, and otherwise to exercise proper care to safeguard classified information against unauthorized disclosure. On or about January 23, 2001, LIBBY executed a written “Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement,” stating in part that “I understand and accept that by being granted access to classified information, special confidence and trust shall be placed in me by the United States Government,” and that “I have been advised that the unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized retention, or negligent handling of classified information by me could cause damage or irreparable injury to the United States or could be used to advantage by a foreign nation.”
Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame Wilson
e. Joseph Wilson (“Wilson”) was a former career State Department official who had held a variety of posts, including United States Ambassador. In 2002, after an inquiry to the CIA by the Vice President concerning certain intelligence reporting, the CIA decided on its own initiative to send Wilson to the country of Niger to investigate allegations involving Iraqi efforts to acquire uranium yellowcake, a processed form of uranium ore. Wilson orally reported his findings to the CIA upon his return.
f. Joseph Wilson was married to Valerie Plame Wilson (“Valerie Wilson”). At all relevant times from January 1, 2002 through July 2003, Valerie Wilson was employed by the CIA, and her employment status was classified. Prior to July 14, 2003, Valerie Wilson’s affiliation with the CIA was not common knowledge outside the intelligence community.
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